1. What is Trace Resistance?

Trace resistance refers to the electrical resistance of a conductive trace on a printed circuit board (PCB). It depends on the material's resistivity and the trace's physical dimensions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the trace resistance equation:

Where:

• \( R \) — Trace resistance (ohm)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity of the material (ohm*m)
• \( l \) — Length of the trace (m)
• \( w \) — Width of the trace (m)
• \( t \) — Thickness of the trace (m)

Explanation: The resistance increases with length and decreases with cross-sectional area (width × thickness).

3. Importance of Trace Resistance Calculation

Details: Accurate trace resistance calculation is crucial for PCB design, ensuring proper signal integrity, power delivery, and minimizing voltage drops.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all dimensions in meters. Typical copper resistivity is 1.68×10⁻⁸ ohm*m. Ensure all values are positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the resistivity of common PCB materials?
A: Copper is most common (1.68×10⁻⁸ ohm*m). Other materials include aluminum (2.65×10⁻⁸) and gold (2.44×10⁻⁸).

Q2: How does temperature affect trace resistance?
A: Resistance increases with temperature. Copper has a temperature coefficient of about 0.0039/°C.

Q3: What are typical trace dimensions?
A: Common PCB traces range from 0.1mm to 1mm wide, with thickness typically 35μm (1oz copper) or 70μm (2oz copper).

Q4: When is trace resistance most important?
A: Critical for high-current traces, high-speed signals, and precision analog circuits where voltage drops matter.

Q5: How can I reduce trace resistance?
A: Increase width or thickness, use shorter traces, or choose lower-resistivity materials.